Chap. XIX.—Of the Soul, and It Given by God.

A question also may arise respecting this, whether the soul is produced from the father, or rather from the mother, or indeed
from both. But I think that this judgment is to be formed as though in a doubtful matter.19381938Sed ego id in eo jure ab ancipiti vindico. For nothing is true of these three opinions, because souls are produced neither from both nor from either. For a body may
be produced from a body, since something is contributed from both; but a soul cannot be produced from souls, because nothing
can depart from a slight and incomprehensible subject. Therefore the manner of the production of souls belongs entirely to
God alone.

“In fine, we are all sprung from a heavenly seed, all have that same Father.”

as Lucretius19391939 ii. 991. says. For nothing but what is mortal can be generated from mortals. Nor ought he to be deemed a father who in no way 299perceives that he has transmitted or breathed a soul from his own; nor, if he perceives it, comprehends in his mind when or
in what manner that effect is produced.

From this it is evident that souls are not given by parents, but by one and the same God and Father of all, who alone has
the law and method of their birth, since He alone produces them. For the part of the earthly parent is nothing more than with
a sense of pleasure to emit the moisture of the body, in which is the material of birth, or to receive it; and to this work
man’s power is limited,19401940Et citra hoc opus homo resistit. The compound word “resistit” is used for the simple sistit—“stands.” nor has he any further power. Therefore men wish for the birth of sons, because they do not themselves bring it about. Everything
beyond this is the work of God,—namely, the conception itself, and the moulding of the body, and the breathing in of life,
and the bringing forth in safety, and whatever afterwards contributes to the preservation of man: it is His gift that we breathe,
that we live, and are vigorous. For, besides that we owe it to His bounty that we are safe in body, and that He supplies us
with nourishment from various sources, He also gives to man wisdom, which no earthly father can by any means give; and therefore
it often happens that foolish sons are born from wise parents, and wise sons from foolish parents, which some persons attribute
to fate and the stars. But this is not now the time to discuss the subject of fate. It is sufficient to say this, that even
if the stars hold together the efficacy of all things, it is nevertheless certain that all things are done by God, who both
made and set in order the stars themselves. They are therefore senseless who detract this power from God, and assign it to
His work.

He would have it, therefore, to be in our own power, whether we use or do not use this divine and excellent gift of God. For,
having granted this, He bound man himself by the mystery19411941Sacramento of virtue, by which he might be able to gain life. For great is the power, great the reason, great the mysterious purpose
of man; and if any one shall not abandon this, nor betray his fidelity and devotedness, he must be happy: he, in short, to
sum up the matter in few words, must of necessity resemble God. For he is in error whosoever judges of19421942Metitur, “measures.” man by his flesh. For this worthless body19431943Corpusculum. The diminutive appears to imply contempt. with which we are clothed is the receptacle of man.19441944 The expression is too general, since the body as well as the soul is a true part of man’s nature. [Perhaps so; but Lactantius is thinking of St. Paul’s expression (Philipp. iii. 21), “the body of our humiliation.”] For man himself, can neither be touched, nor looked upon, nor grasped, because he lies hidden within this body, which is
seen. And if he shall be more luxurious and delicate in this life than its nature demands, if he shall despise virtue, and
give himself to the pursuit of fleshly lusts, he will fall and be pressed down to the earth; but if (as his duty is) he shall
readily and constantly maintain his position, which is right for him, and he has rightly obtained,19451945Quem rectum rectè sortitus est. In some editions the word “recte” is omitted. —if he shall not be enslaved to the earth, which he ought to trample upon and overcome, he will gain eternal life.

1944 The expression is too general, since the body as well as the soul is a true part of man’s nature. [Perhaps so; but Lactantius is thinking of St. Paul’s expression (Philipp. iii. 21), “the body of our humiliation.”]

1945Quem rectum rectè sortitus est. In some editions the word “recte” is omitted.